﻿Today, Yom Ha'atzmaut is being observed in Israel and worldwide. I saw a meme earlier this week that read: "Israel - 3000 years old and 71 years young." My love for the State of Israel, the people of Israel and the Land of Israel is no secret. Thankfully, I keep finding new ways to appreciate Israel's miraculous existence.

Perhaps the best line I have read in a while came from an article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal on February 21st 2019. The author, Felicia Schwartz was musing on how the "Start-Up Nation" still had to rely on antiquated technology such as the fax machine. And here is the line that stuck me: 'Natalie Blenford, a British-Israeli actress in Tel Aviv, said she cried in the bank after waiting hours to set up an account. “That’s the paradox of Israel. A modern country with one foot in the future, one foot in the Bible,” Ms. Blenford said.' And there you have it. This may be a cousin of the saying that the Tanach is the original version of Waze for Israel.

However you look at it, you must admit that we are living in a special era. The latest census data showed the population topping nine million people in Israel today. This is something that our grandparents would not even dare to dream, let alone see in their time.

Celebrate, innovate, honor the past and soar into the future. Enjoy this time.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach

Women's Kabbalat Shabbat will be held this Friday night at 6:30 pm

Shabbat Lectures by Community Scholar

Erica Brown

"Where Are We Going? The Challenge and Joys of Jewish Peoplehood"| Following Friday Night Services before Community Dinner

Shiur in Parshat Kedoshim | 8:30 am Shabbat Morning

"Boredom is So Interesting"| After Mussaf

"That's What are Friends For:" The Book of Ruth and Friendship in Jewish Tradition| 6:45 pm at Etz Chaim

The Community Scholar is generously sponsored by Deborah and Wayne Zuckerman in observance of the fifth Yahrtzeit of Abe Zuckerman - Avraham Yaakov ben Yoseif Ze'ev Z"L

A powerful novel based on the incredible true story of Hedy Lamarr, the glamour icon who hid not only her Jewish heritage but that fact that she was a brilliant scientist. Her groundbreaking invention revolutionized modern communication.